28. Corn Smut

Why we avoid it: You know that anything called “smut” has to be gross. True to form, corn smut is a fungal infection that causes disease on corn and looks like a slimy, black, gooey brain. It doesn’t matter how good it tastes -- it looks horrible.

Why we should eat it: The smut is a delicacy in Mexico. Known as huitlacoche (WEET-LA-KO-CHEE), it’s eaten as a filling in quesadillas and soups. Scientists found that the nutritional value of corn smut is astronomically better than the corn it grows. When the smut attacks, it forces the cob’s metabolism to change, creating new, improved nutritional value. Take lysine, an essential amino acid that is completely absent in corn, but somehow corn smut is packed with it.

Lysine is important for the body’s immune function and can help ward off colds during stressful times. Bodybuilders pound lysine for its ability to help build new muscle and repair damaged tissues. It also reduces anxiety by increasing serotonin levels. Epicureans overlook the smut’s superior nutritional value and praise its slightly nutty earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness. Huitlacoche is a treat you can find in Mexico in fresh, frozen and canned forms, and can be ordered online. It’s harder to find in the U.S. and Canada, but this might change. Efforts to overcome its bad image problem are in the works by rebranding it as “Mexican truffles,” so keep an eye out for it!